AMERICAN MADE TO ORDER
Gravity Conveyor Rollers, Built to Your Spec
Gravity conveyor rollers are unpowered tube-and-bearing rollers that carry loads along a conveyor frame by gravity or manual push. Texas Belting supplies them made to order in light, medium, and heavy duty builds: tube diameters of 1.9 in, 2.5 in, and 3.5 in, lengths from 6 in to 10 ft, hex or round axles from 7/16 in to 1 in, and carbon steel, zinc plated, or stainless construction. Minimums are low, so a single replacement roller is quoted the same way as a full conveyor set.
Gravity Roller Specifications
Every gravity roller listed below is built to order. The table gives the full range of options available on a Texas Belting gravity roller quote.
| Specification | Available Options |
|---|---|
| Roller diameter (O.D.) | 1.9 in, 2.5 in, 3.5 in |
| Roller length | 6 in to 10 ft |
| Tube wall gauge | 16ga (0.065 in), 11ga (0.120 in), 9ga (0.148 in), 7ga (0.180 in) on request |
| Bearing type | Commercial, ABEC precision, stainless steel |
| Axle type | Hex, round, or no axle |
| Axle size | 7/16 in, 1/2 in, 5/8 in, 11/16 in, 3/4 in, 1 in |
| Retention | Single spring, double spring, cotter pin, loose, non-removable |
| Tube material | Carbon steel, zinc plated steel, stainless steel |
| Custom options | Anti-static, urethane sleeves, plastic sleeves, support pucks, drilled and tapped ends |
| Lead time | Confirmed with each quote, made to order |
Light, Medium, and Heavy Duty Gravity Rollers
Duty rating on a gravity roller is set by two things: tube wall thickness and bearing grade. Heavier gauge resists denting and mid-span bowing, and a higher grade bearing survives higher rolling loads and faster line speeds.
| Duty | Wall Gauge | Bearing | Typical Load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 16ga (0.065 in) | Commercial | Cartons, totes, parcels on short spans |
| Medium | 11ga (0.120 in) | Commercial or ABEC | General warehouse and distribution loads |
| Heavy | 9ga (0.148 in) | ABEC precision | Pallets, drums, castings, impact zones |
If the roller being replaced is dented, flat-spotted, or bowed at mid span, step up one wall gauge on the replacement rather than matching the failed part.
Where Gravity Rollers Are Used
Gravity conveyor rollers appear anywhere product moves without a motor. Common applications include:
- Gravity conveyor sections and skate wheel conveyor replacements
- Pallet flow rack and carton flow rack lanes
- Shipping and receiving dock lines and truck loading extensions
- Wash down and food handling lines, using stainless tube with stainless bearings
- Accumulation zones, transfer tables, and ball transfer decks
- Oilfield, foundry, and fabrication shop material handling
- Anti-static lanes in electronics assembly and packaging
How to Measure a Gravity Roller for Replacement
Four dimensions cover most rebuilds. Between frame width is the only one that cannot be estimated, because it determines whether the roller drops into the conveyor frame at all. The drawing below labels each dimension, and the definitions repeat them in text.
Fill in the drawing directly. Type into the boxes below and the worksheet fills itself in. The worksheet fields and the drawing stay in sync, so use whichever is easier.
Dashed boxes on the drawing are fillable. Scroll the drawing sideways on a phone.
Print the gravity roller measuring drawing (PNG) to take out to the conveyor.
What BF, RF, O.D., wall, and axle mean
- Between frame width (BF)
- The inside face of one conveyor rail to the inside face of the opposite rail, measured where the roller sits. This is the required dimension on every gravity roller quote.
- Roller face (RF)
- The usable length of the tube itself, typically between frame width minus 1/16 in to 1/8 in so the roller turns freely inside the frame.
- Outside diameter (O.D.)
- The outside diameter of the tube, measured across the face. Standard gravity roller diameters are 1.9 in, 2.5 in, and 3.5 in.
- Wall
- The tube wall thickness, given as a gauge: 16ga is 0.065 in, 11ga is 0.120 in, 9ga is 0.148 in, and 7ga is 0.180 in.
- Axle
- Measured across the flats for a hex axle and across the diameter for a round axle, plus the overall axle length including the portion outside the tube.
If a dimension is unclear, send a photo of the old roller and the frame slot with the worksheet. Rebuilds often need more than rollers, so we also stock conveyor belting and bearings.
Gravity Roller Quote Worksheet
Fill in as many dimensions as you have. Between frame width and quantity are required. Values you enter appear on the drawing above as you type.
Gravity Roller FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity on gravity rollers?
Minimums on gravity rollers are low because production focuses on the most common sizes and styles. A single replacement roller is quoted the same way as a full conveyor set. Enter the quantity on the worksheet and we confirm it with the quote.
How do I measure between frame width on a conveyor?
Measure from the inside face of one conveyor rail to the inside face of the opposite rail, at the point where the roller sits. Between frame width determines whether a gravity roller drops into the frame, so it is the one dimension that cannot be estimated from the old part.
What is the difference between a hex axle and a round axle?
A hex axle seats in a matching hex slot and resists rotation in the conveyor frame, which is standard on most gravity conveyor. A round axle is used with keyhole slots or bolted mounts. Match whichever shape the existing frame slot is cut for.
Which gravity roller wall gauge do I need?
Use 16ga for cartons and totes, 11ga for general warehouse loads, and 9ga for pallets, drums, and impact zones. If the roller being replaced is dented or bowed at mid span, step up one gauge instead of matching the failed part.
Are stainless steel gravity rollers available for wash down lines?
Yes. Stainless tube paired with stainless bearings is available for food handling and wash down environments. Note the environment in the worksheet so bearing grade and retention style are specified for the washdown, not just the load.
What does roller retention do, and which type should I choose?
Retention holds the axle in the frame slot. Springs, single or double, let the roller be pressed out for service. A cotter pin locks it positively. Loose rollers drop in with no retention, and non-removable rollers are fixed permanently. Match the existing retention unless rollers have been shaking loose, in which case move up to double spring or cotter pin.
How fast do made to order gravity rollers ship?
Gravity rollers are built to order, so lead time is confirmed with each quote rather than published. Give a required delivery date on the worksheet and we confirm what is achievable before you issue a purchase order. Orders ship from Houston, Texas.
Prefer to talk it through?
Texas Belting & Supply ships gravity rollers from Houston, Texas.
Call (888) 203-2358